Hi folksWe have just made a decision to abandon (mostly) the Veg patch for this year. The reasoning? overall it is a mess, beds in the wrong place, wrong orientation, water points wrong. The soil all needs a thorough work over and more organic material worked in. We need to work on shelter plantings to keep the hot winds at bay and we want to put in some perrennial food plants as well. Sooooo - nearly everything goes, fences down and work over the whole area in preparation for Autumn 2018. This seems to be the best approach for us.

Given our Southern location, hot dry climate etc. most things will be different to what you would do in the North but I will most likely be asking a few questions as we go along - particularly about crop rotation and companion planting so that this can be allowed for at the outset.

There are not more than five primary colours, yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever be seen - (Sun Tzu 600BC)

First tip - save yourself a little bit of it for just growing something (doesn't matter how small or what you grow). Otherwise you'll be desperate to eat something you grew yourself not too much later.

No need to ask me how I know.

Berries and herbs have been our only homegrown this year!

Maggie

Never doubt that you can change history. You already have. Marge Piercy

The only truly dwarf broad beans that I know of Ina are Sutton.I grow used to grow them all the time because they are dwarf and survive outdoor winds, but also in the tunnel as they behave themselves and don't take over the place

Weedo wrote:Given our Southern location, hot dry climate etc. most things will be different to what you would do in the North

Not necessarily so different Weedo. For your shelter belt for hot dry winds substitue my shelter belt for salt laden winds, and growing most of my stuff under cover (tunnels, greenhouses) I also have to consider my water points (rain water harvesting) and irrigation.It is worth while getting it right though.

Yes Odsox - the same but different. I will also provide for shade for my tomatoes and leafy greens so they don't get too much sun. Water quantity is not a problem but keeping it in the soil in +35 degree days is. We are considering using low trellis table grape vines and a wind shelter on the West with a citrus hedge on the East.

There are not more than five primary colours, yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever be seen - (Sun Tzu 600BC)

I did say nearly all would be going. The patch is a quarter acre total and we will keep about a quarter of this going (chitting spuds with the grandkids this weekend). The rest will be flattened, deep dug and levelled ready for next season. Hopefully the time budget allows for a new chook shed - I have already scrounged most of the materials. I will try to get a pic of its current state (it is certainly in a real state)

There are not more than five primary colours, yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever be seen - (Sun Tzu 600BC)